Aide: Obama will heed message

A top aide to President Barack Obama said not to look for a change in his “fundamental principles, but certainly there were messages that have to be heeded, and we will.”

“If you believe in democracy, we were swept in by a big wave, so you have to pay attention to these results and what people are saying,” the aide said. “They want us to work together, to focus on the economy – for jobs and growth — and we’re going to do that.”

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The tone was more humble than is customary for this White House, and the aide promised a period of introspection.

The aide also mentioned deficits as an area that the parties can do a better job of working together.

“There are lessons for us, and there are lessons for [Republicans], as well,” the aide said. “This wasn’t a vote for more partisanship, for more ideology. … This wasn't a vote to refight the old battles, or re-empower the special interests. This was a vote for cooperation and pragmatism.”

“And [voters] want responsible, open, accountable government, including real steps to discipline the budget deficits,” the aide added. “We ran to bring that to Washington and they're telling us we have to do better."

As for the bleak returns, the aide said: “The Senate was better than we thought it might be. The House was a little bit worse. But you could see this trend coming. It was a prescription for a difficult night. That doesn’t make it any easier.”